What is Myasthenia Gravis, or MG?
- A rare neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder.
- Causes extreme fatigue and profound muscle weakness.
- Impulses from the brain travel down nerves but are blocked by antibodies before impulses reach muscle. The body is essentially attacking itself and stopping muscle function.
- Can impact a person’s ability to see, swallow, smile, walk, breathe, or engage in normal, everyday activity.
- First documented by an Oxford, England physician named Thomas Willis in 1672.
What are myasthenia gravis symptoms?
- Drooping eyelids
- Double vision
- Trouble smiling
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Extremely weak arms, hands, or legs
- Profound tiredness
- Impeded mobility and movement
Who gets myasthenia gravis?
- Anyone can be diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, though it’s more common in adults than children.
- Women under 40 and men over 60 are more likely to be diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.
- MG can occur regardless of race, gender, and age.
- More than 70,000 people are diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in the United States alone.
What is the prognosis for people with myasthenia gravis?
The outlook for most people with MG is positive, as current treatment options are often effective.
- While existing treatments do not cure MG, most patients have improved muscle strength and some even experience remission.
- New advances in research and clinical trials are helping us understand more about MG every day.
- We are committed to drive and support research towards a better understanding and a cure for MG.
How do you diagnose myasthenia gravis?
- A neurologist or neuromuscular specialist usually diagnoses myasthenia gravis with a blood test or specialty tensile tests.
- It can be diagnosed with other kinds of tests as well.
- Learn more about these tests.
How do you treat myasthenia gravis?
- There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but there are treatments to manage symptoms.
- Some people can go into remission, but for many people, myasthenia gravis is a chronic illness.
- Learn more about treatment strategies.
What should you know about having myasthenia gravis?
- Everyone’s disease presents a little differently – that’s why myasthenia is known as a “snowflake disease.”
- Myasthenia can be difficult to diagnose. Some people go years without a correct diagnosis.
- Myasthenia symptoms often improve with rest.
- Symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day, week by week, or month by month.
- People with MG are so much stronger than their weakest moments!
- Learn more about MG from the MG community.